Drafted Looks for More Graded Success in Vosburgh

Dublin Fjord Stables, Racepoint Stables, Kevin D. Hilbert, and Thomas E. O'Keefe's Drafted  will vie for his third graded victory of the year in the Oct. 8 $250,000 Vosburgh Stakes (G2), a seven-furlong main track sprint for 3-year-olds and up, at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet. 

The winner of the Vosburgh will earn a berth in the Qatar Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) on Nov. 5 at Keeneland as part of the "Win and You're In" qualifying series. 

Drafted, an 8-year-old Field Commission  gelding, enters from a non-threatening fifth-place finish in the Forego Stakes (G1) Aug. 27 at Saratoga Race Course where he flashed his usual come-from-behind tactics, but could not catch up to one-two finishers Cody's Wish  and reigning champion sprinter Jackie's Warrior  . 

"They were just too good," said conditioner David Duggan. "We know we're not quite good enough in grade 1s, but we're competitive at the grade 2 level, so we're taking a shot here." 

Duggan said that seven furlong's best suits Drafted's running style. 

"Seven is a good tip for him, versus with six, he needs a very fast pace," said Duggan. "He has to be left alone early. We've put him in the race before and it just hasn't worked. He takes a deep breath and makes one move, and that's been what works. He's spitting fire right now, so we'll see."

Kendrick Carmouche will ride Drafted from the outermost post 5. 

Juddmonte's 4-year-old Elite Power  streaks into the Vosburgh off a trio of victories for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. A son of Curlin  , Elite Power raced twice at 3 and returned to the races from a six-month layoff in May to finish third in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. He stretched out a furlong and graduated by nine lengths in his next outing in June at the same track. 

Mott said maturity has helped Elite Power flourish this year. 

"As a 3-year-old, he suffered from some shin issues so he got started late," said Mott. "But now he's matured. I think outgrowing it was part of it. Time usually takes care of those things."

Trainer Norman Cash will saddle two contenders for owners Noman Cash and Lola Cash in Jalen Journey  and Eastern Bay . 

Jalen Journey, a 7-year-old With Distinction  ridgling, makes a quick turnaround from a distant third-place finish in the Liberty Bell Stakes Oct. 3 at Parx Racing. There, he rallied well from seven lengths off the pace in seventh to improve his position throughout and come up 8 1/2 lengths shy of the victorious Fortheluvofbourbon . 

Two of Jalen Journey's last three victories have come via disqualification, most recently in the Chesapeake Stakes Aug. 16 at Colonial Downs where he finished a neck behind Necker Island but was elevated to first due to Necker Island's interference with third-place finisher Factor It In  in the stretch. He earned a graded victory when elevated to first in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3) at Laurel Park last September.

Eastern Bay, an 8-year-old son of E Dubai , has shown an affinity for the main track at Laurel where he has posted six wins this year at the starter or allowance optional claiming level. 

Completing the field is Klaravich Stables' Union Rags   son Southern District , who makes his graded debut for four-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner Chad Brown. 

Entries: Vosburgh S. (G2)

Belmont at the Big A, Saturday, October 08, 2022, Race 5

• Grade II
• 7f
• Dirt
• $250,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 2:46 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Southern District (KY)	Manuel Franco	120	Chad C. Brown	2/1
2	2Jalen Journey (FL)	Dylan Davis	120	Norman L. Cash	12/1
3	3Eastern Bay (MD)	Javier Castellano	120	Norman L. Cash	7/2
4	4Elite Power (KY)	Jose Lezcano	120	William I. Mott	6/5
5	5Drafted (FL)	Kendrick Carmouche	122	David P. Duggan	9/2